Mokpo National University, LNG Hydrogen Cryogenic System Research Center Opening Ceremony

Establishment of a Demonstration-Based 'Cryogenic Insulation System' for Eco-Friendly Ships

The LNG Hydrogen Cryogenic System Research Center at Mokpo National University (hereinafter referred to as the LNG Center) announced on the 26th that it held an opening ceremony for the LNG Center on the afternoon of the 25th at the Sinhaeyang Industrial Complex Campus as part of the project to establish a “Demonstration Infrastructure for Cryogenic Insulation Systems for Eco-friendly Ships.”

The LNG Center aims to develop a domestic test and evaluation demonstration infrastructure and related technologies for cryogenic cargo tanks applied to LNG carriers, which are leading the global market for eco-friendly ships. This is a national research and development project supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Mokpo National University played the role of the lead institution for the establishment of the demonstration infrastructure and technology development.

Cutting the ribbon at the opening ceremony of the LNG Center. Photo by Mokpo National University

The opening ceremony was attended by more than 70 domestic and international stakeholders and academics in the eco-friendly ship industry, including Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeollanam-do; Kim Ui-jung, Director at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; Park Hong-ryul, Mayor of Mokpo; Woo Seung-hee, Mayor of Yeongam County; Myung Hyun-kwan, Mayor of Haenam County; Son Nam-il, Member of the Jeollanam-do Provincial Council; Kim Jae-eul, CEO of HD Hyundai Samho; and Wang Sam-dong, CEO of Daehan Shipbuilding, who celebrated the opening of the LNG Center and expressed high expectations for the center’s vision and role.

Governor Kim Young-rok said, “It is a great achievement to have a center with world-class technology in Jeollanam-do,” and added, “I hope that the LNG Center will not only lead research on the performance evaluation of cryogenic cargo tanks but also expand into manufacturing demonstration research to become a truly world-class research facility.”

Director Kim Ui-jung of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated, “LNG carriers are the pride of South Korea’s shipbuilding industry, and to outpace China’s pursuit, it is important to complete our cargo tank technology. Therefore, we expect the LNG Center to expand its scope to complete not only LNG but also liquefied hydrogen cargo tank technology.”

Song Ha-cheol, President of Mokpo National University, expressed his gratitude, saying, “We thank the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Jeollanam-do, Yeongam County, and consortium companies and institutions for their great interest and active support,” and stated his ambition, “We will do our best to maintain the technological lead in LNG cargo tanks through testing, evaluation, and demonstration support at the LNG Center.”

Meanwhile, the successful establishment of the LNG Center is expected to gain global recognition for various eco-friendly energy research achievements in the cryogenic system field and further contribute to a sustainable future for humanity.